Container cap



' June 22, 1937.

l `.1. N. LANDAU CONTAINER CAP FiledJune 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l.hilf/lll. i i

JJg/L V. Landau.

June 22, 1937. J, N LANDAU 2,084,529

CONTAINER CAP Filed June 1e, 195:5 2 sheets-Sheet 2 lill INVE ToR TMW 'ATTORNEY Patented i June lu1-ur1=z| g STATES yPATEN'I OFFICE g 2.084.529CONTAINER omy Joseph N. Landau, New York, N. Y.

application :une 1s, 193s, sei-1.1 No. 610,151

' 11 clam'. (ci. zzn-ao) This invention relates to closures forcontainers and more particularlyr to closures for automaticallydispensing iiuent material from collapsible f tubes andthe like. l Oneof the objects of the invention is to provide a novel form of automaticclosure which'ahall dispense uent material at thefend 0f the caprclosure and longitudinally thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ,10' closure cap of thecharacter designated which shall be made of non-corrosive material.Another object oi' the'invention is tor provide a f vclosure cap of thecharacter designated which shall provide an air seal and thereby protectthe lsmaterial from thedeleterious effects of the atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure cap of thecharacter designated which shall have a rotarylmotion simultaneous withits longitudinal motion, whereby a uniform flow of material may bedispensed from the cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap of the characterdesignated in which a movable capV member shall be operatedby Ythepresto which it may lbe attachedI and returnedV to closed position byyieldable means associated therewith and forming a rpartof the closurestructure.

Another object oi' the invention is to provide a retaining means foryretaining the movable closure parts lin a fixed position to 'preventaccidental discharge of fiuent'inaterial.- Another object o f'the-invention is to provide a 35 `novel form of massage device which shallbe associated with the closure cap. These and other'objects of theinvention will be more apparent from Athe following specinca- 40 in theclaims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional viewof a'closure having an v oblique side openingarranged in'accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. l, Fig. 3 is a sectionalview'showing a'modification ofthe construction shown in Fig. l,

Fig. 4v is a view partially in section of a retainer for the movableclosure parts.'

Fig. vt', is a sectional view on line 5 6 of Fig. 4,

" Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the retainer element, l l Fig. 'I isa'sectionai view showing a novel form of a closure and means forattaching'the same to a container,

sure on the uent material Vwithin the container tion and drawings andmore particularly set forth Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line of Fig.7, Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a massage member `associated with theclosure member,

Fig. 10 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 isasectional view of a modication of the apparatus shown inFig.'9, Fig. 12 is a top view ofthe apparatus shown in Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a. sectional view of a modification of theclosure cap asapplied to a paper tube;

Fig. 14 is a sectional fragmentary view of the device-shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of a closure cap embodying a yieldabledispensing member.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a knife member for puncturing the yieldablemember. shown in Fig.

A rials frequently contain acid ingredients which corrode the parts andprohibit their free movement which is necessary in discharging a uniformow of material. Furthermore inthe use of such closures heretoforeemployed where the materials are ejected or dispensed from a sideopening,` it has been difficult to distribute the material evenly on abrush or other receiving object, because of :the projecting end memberor protuberances extending beyond the dispensing portion of the cap.

One of the features of the present invention is the provision of a c apwhich shall be particularly adapted for dispensing fluent materiallongitudlnally from a collapsible tube container having a centralpassage anda tubular member slidably mounted in the passage. The tubularmember is provided with a closed top and a side delivery openingdirected obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the cap. It will thus benoted that the relative movements of the tubular member and the capcause the fluent material to be ldischarged longitudinally ofthe cap andnot side ways as heretofore experienced in the dispensing caps now ingeneral use. Another feature of this construction is that the ribbon offluent material may be caused to flow uniformly from the end of theclosure member and this is of particular advantage in distributing aribbon of material such as toothpaste on a brush, for example.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Figs. 1and 2 a novel form of closure embodying my invention. In thisillustrated embodiment, a collapsible tube Il) having a threaded nozzleII is closed by a cap I2 and a tubular member I3 slidably mounted in thecentral passage of the cap I2. It will be noted that the top wallclosure for the tubular member has-the same general conguration as thetop contour of theV cap I2. In other words, I prefer that the cap I2shall be of dome shape so as to provide a neatly appearing closure whichshall minimize any tendency for waste paste to collect around theend"'parts and dry or corrode in such a manner that frequently renderscaps of this nature inoperable for the purpose intended. Near the topportion of a tubular plunger is a side oblique opening I4 forming one ofthe principal features of myA invention. It will be noted that thisopening is at the top of the slidable plunger and slopes upwardly andoutwardly at about y degrees from the axis of the closure cap. Whenpressure is applied to the uent material in the tube, it rises upwardlyinto the plunger I3, raising the same to cause the opening I4 to passmaterial obliquely and in ribbon form longitudinally of the closure. Inorder to limit the yupward travel of the plunger member, the lowerportion thereof,

is provided with a flange or other suitable stop member I5.

To further provide:` for the slidable movement of the tubular member I3in the passageway of the closure I2, an annular gasket I 6 is located yon the tubular member so that it shall engage the inner cavity of thecap. 'Ihis gasket serves to regulate the movement of the tubular memberand thereby facilitate the operation of the tubular member to dispense auniform flow of fluent material.

Referring to the modifications shown in Figs.

`3, 4, and 5, the cap I2 is provided with a tapered recess .I'I aroundthe central passage. In this embodiment of my invention the tubularmemlber I3 is provided with a tapered ange portion I8 at the top thereofwhich shall conform to the recess in the top of the closure so that whenthe tubular member is retracted, the contour of its top shall conform tothat of the cap and thereby provide the same general neat yappearance asheretoforev described. In this embodiment of the invention the taperedflt between the cap end and the. tubular member is sealed by means of a'gasket I9 provided in the fianged portion ofthe tubular member. 'I'hisgasket forms an air `seal and thereby prevents any leakage of air tothematerial and thereby eliminates any cakng or corroding 'effects ofthe material.

yspring 20, the contents of the tube are effectively sealed against anyingression of air.

Another feature of the present` construction is .the provision of lmeansfor twisting the tubular member I3 simultaneous with its longitudinalmovement. This movement is accomplished by an incned slot 2| provided inthe tubular member I3. Arranged to engage the slot is a pin 22 mountedin the lxed portion of the cap. It will thus be noted that as the capmoves upwardly it will be given a rotary movement and this movement isvery desirable because it minimizes any sticking elTect caused by dry orcaked materials. 'I'his rotary movement also causes the relativemovement of the orifice surfaces and thereby permits a uniform flow ofmaterial from the cap ,outlet.

Inthe handling and shipping of collapsible containers of the characterdesignatedit frequently happens that the tubes are accidentally squeezedand the material discharged and I overcome this diiculty by providing a.retainer which shall grip the cap and engage the top of the tubularmember to prevent its outward movement. The retainer of this typecomprises an upright member 2l and an angular member 25 at the topportion thereof. The lower portion is provided with an angularlydisposed fork-shaped member 26 Which is adapted tov engage the neck ofthe tube and the cap and thereby positively hold these parts in positionto prevent any accidental discharge of material.

While I have shown the retainer 26 in the form of a detachable metalclip which grips the cap and tube neck, it is obvious that thedetachable retainer may readily be made in other forms to perform thesame function. For example, a covering of cellophane or other similarmaterial indicated by numeral 24', mayv be secured over the cap and thusprevent the accidental discharge of material as Well as keep the cap ina sanitary condition during shipment.

It will be further noted in the illustrated embodiment of the inventionshown in Figs. 4 and 5, that the tubular closure member I3 automaticallycloses the opening I4 by the action of spring 20, when the pressure onthe container is released. By providinga sealing gasket. of cork orother yieldable and non-corrosive material, any adhesion or stickingofthe tubular plunger lI3 to the cap I2, is reducedv to a minimumbecause the material in the cap is sealed against any ingress of airandfurthermore the external metallic joint usually employed andexposed'to the air, is eliminated by this gasket seal. In other words,the gasket I9 is yieldably held in sealing relation with the topperipheral edge of the cap central passage, by means of the spring 20.The cap is thus automatically retainedin closed position, except whenfluent material is actually being dispensed and any opportunity formaterial to collect and dry on the closure joints and cause the same tostick, is reduced to a minimum. If for any reason the cap closure shouldstick, the rotary or twisting movement imparted thereto by the pin 22and angularly disposed slot 2|, immediately releases the same as soon aspressure is applied to the contents of the container.

Referring to the modication shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the movable partsare located entirely within the contour of closure capv I2 which isrigidly mounted on the neck or nozzle of the container I0 by a frictionor.screw connection as heretofore described.

In this embodiment of the invention, the cap 2'I is provided with a.central passage 28 into which is slidably tted a tubular membery29,closed at the top and punched with an oblique side opening 30 near thetop wall. Located in the cap 2'I and near the top thereof is an obliqueopening 3I vwhich registers with. the opening 30 when the tubularmemberlis moved into dispensing position by pressure applied to thecontainer or collapsible tube tor which it may be attached.

'I'he tubular member is retained in a closed position byr a spring 32anda stop- 33 formed on vthe inside' of the cap 21. `In order tofacilitate it is twisted at right angles so that the flanged bottom ofthe tubular' member 29 shall rest on vthe stop and limit the inward4movement caused by thespring 32.

` It willthus benoted that the wall discharge vopenings and 3 I areinclined obliquely at about 45, degrees andthus permit the discharge ofmaterial obliquely to the axis of the cap and near the vtop'sok that auniform flow of material shall be dispensed from the end of the cap.`

The cap 29 'is fitted to the container nozzle or stop by a taperfrictionf'joint 35 and secured in this positionby a bayonet jointconnection indicated by pin 36`and angularslot 31.

Another-'feature of ythepresent invention is the provision of a massagedevice 38which shall be attached to the topA of `a tube or container ofshaving cr'eam'orv other lotion as shown in Fig.I 9. In this embodimentof thev invention the closure is 'similar to `-that heretofore describedand adapted to Adispense a ribbon of cream' or fluent material from thetop of the closure.

The massage device38 comprises a plurality of angularly disposed softrubber ribs positioned adjacent to the tube openingIII.V The device issupported by a suitable bracket support 39 secured to the neck of thecontainer I0. The arrangement is suchthat as the proper amount of creamlis discharged on the rubber ribs, the supply is cut offgby the returnmovement of the tubular memberwhichacts as a-valve cutoff. A bail member40 is xed to the cap so that the ysame Emay swing over the 'top o1' thetubular "member and retain the same in closed position when the massagedevice is being used. The bail is :detainedv in position by'a pair ofknobs 4I-4I which permit the bail to snap into position and prevent anyaccidental discharge of material when the 'massage device is being used.These precautions are taken because in a device of this kind, the -tubecontainer for the massage fluid or creamr is used asthe handle for themassage .device and any 'undue pressure would cause lthe material toactuate the tubular member and dispense material when it is not wantedand thereby be very wasteful of material aswell as'open to the'objectionof having excess material present.

The Vbail 40 engaging the top of the tubular vmember also provides avalve shut-off for fluent lform manner. f

material which shall positivelycontrol the amount of material dispensed.y f

In the rmodification shown in Figs. 11 and 12 vthe massage device 331smounted directly on the cap I2 in a dove-tail shaped slot 42. L'I `hemember Sais reinforced bya rib member 43 which `may be of 'metalor otherrigid material.

from the end of theclosure The closure members heretofore described areto al paper'collapsible container k43.

separable units which may be applied to the nozzle of any standard toothpaste or shaving cream collapsible tube container. Whichever form ofclosure is employed, the closurel parts may be made of-metal, or metalcoated with paraffin, or the closure'parts I2 and I3 may be made ofnonmetallic material such as hard rubber, bakelite or plastic material.I have found that bakelite material is very suitable for caps of thischaracter as it eliminates any deleterious effects of corrosion and ismost desirable from an artistic standpoint as closures made of bakelitemay be made in many attractive color designs. 'I'he cap I2 may be madeof black material and the tubular plunger I3 of a contrasting color,such as red, and appearing at the end of the cap as a red dot.

'I'hese color contrasts may be used to designate the nature of thematerial contained in the tube. For example, the red dot may indicate'tooth paste, anda green dot may indicate shaving cream,'etc. If the capis covered with cellophane or other transparent material for protection`or sanitary reasons as heretofore described, the contrasting colors arestill visible to make a vmore attractive and suitable commercialpackage.

Referring to the modification shown in Figs. 13 and 14', there is showna cap constructed in accordance. with the present invention and appliedOne of the important features of this novel construction is the mannerin which thecap I2 is secured to the neck portion of the paper container43.' Located at the upper portion of the paper tube is a neck ring orannular member M provided with external threads'45. The threads 45 arecomplementary to the threaded portion of the cap I2, and the papermaterial is positively secured between these threaded portions. Inassembling the parts, the sides of the paper tube maybe crimped over thetop of the neck ring 44 as shown at 46 and thus enable the parts to bereadily assembled as well as provideV additional'holding material. Thelower portion of the neck ring 44 is beveled as indicated at 41toprovide a minimum resistance to the flow of material. The inner lowerportion of the plunger I3 is beveled in a similar manner as indicated bynumeralfl. f

One of the important features of the-present construction is that thepaper sides are positively and neatly secured to the cap and neckmembers by mechanical connection and without the aid of any externalclamping `members or the application of any adhesive material which maydisintegrate and subsequently result in damage by the separation cf thepaper from the cap parts.

Referring to the modification of the cap construction shown in Fig. 15,the dome-shaped cap I2 is designed and constructed to receive a yield-.able dome-shaped member 49 arranged to t within thecap and perform thedispensing operation when pressure is applied to the contents of thecontainer and automatically close when the pressure is released. Thismember is preferably made of pure gum rubberand arranged with a.relatively thick, portion 50 at the top of the cap which is adjacent thetubular passage opening.

,The lower side walls of the dome are tapered or thin as indicated at 5Iso that they may be clamped between the cap threads and the neck threadsof the container. The lower rim of the rubber walls protruding beneaththe lower rim of the cap I2 isprovided with a rim or thick portion 52which prevents the rubber from accidentally becoming loosened orotherwise separated from Athe adjoining members.

Another feature of this particular construction is the provision of anannular space 53 between theupper thick portion 50 and the top portionof the cap I2. This space is necessary to provide for the proper actionof the rubber to enable the cap to readily dispense fluid. I

One important feature of providing an internal dome-shaped dispensingmember of a good quality rubber is that corrosion is eliminated andcaking reduced to a minimum. Another important feature of this novelconstruction is that the contents are positively sealed and all damageor waste from accidental discharge in shipment or otherwise iseliminated as is frequently the case in mechanical caps now in use.

In operation, when it is desired to use the contents of the container,the central thick lportion of the dome is punctured by a sharpinstrument 54 as indicated by the dotted line 55. One form of aconvenient instrument which may be packed with the container is shown inFig. 16, and indicated by numeral 56. In Fig. 17, the puncturinginstrument 54 is shown provided with a yieldable clamp portion 5l whichmay be attached to the neck of the container I0 so that there is nodanger of it becoming lost during shipment of the product.

The distributing or massage device shown in Fig. 18 is particularlydesirable for applying massage and facial creams without handling thematerial with the hands. For example, in applying certain shaving creamsit is necessary to use the fingers and this necessitates washing thehands before handling the razor for continuing the shaving operation. Toobviate this inconvenience, I provide a brush distributor comprising athick rubber base 58 and long rubber projections or bristles 59. Thisdistributor is secured to the container cap at an angle of about 45degrees by suitable bracket members 60 and 6| respectively.

An aperture 62 is provided at the central portion of the distributor forpassing material to the rubber projections 59. In this particularconstruction, the cap l2 is provided with an annular upper rim portion63 which shall fit the aperture 62 and prevent uid from leaking downwardpast the cap in an objectionable manner Another feature of thisparticular construction is that the plunger I3 normally projects throughthe base portion of the distributor. This construction aids theoperation of the plunger and causes it to be positively forced inwardwhen the distributor or applicator is applied to the person. Thus thereis provided anautomatic applicator which only utilizes or dispensesfluid when actually needed or intentionally applied and cannot beaccidentally wasted.

To further aid in distributing the material and permit ready cleaning ofthe applicator, the end portions of the base are sloped downward andoutward as indicated by numerals 6l and 65 respectively.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a containercomprising, a cap having a central passage, a tubular cap memberreciprocably mounted in the passage, said tubular member having a sideopening directed outwardly and obliquely to the sides of said member andadjacent to the top thereof, whereby fluid may be dispensed in anendwise direction from said closure cap, and means for attaching the capto the container.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a. domeshaped closure for acontainer comprising, a cap having a central passage opening extendingtherethrough, a tubular cap member reciprocably mounted and normallypositioned in the passage so that the top portion of said tubular membershall conform to the contour of the cap, and a side opening directedoutwardly and obliquely to the sides of said tubular member and adjacentto the top thereof, whereby fluid may be dispensed in an endwisedirection from said closure cap.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a domeshaped closure for aycontainer comprising, a cap having a central passage opening extendingtherethrough, Va tubular cap membery reciprocably mounted and normallypositioned in the passage so that the top portion of said tubular membershall conform to the contour of the cap, a side opening directedoutwardly and obliquely to the sides of said tubular member and adjacentto the top thereof for directing fluid endwise from said closure, andmeans at the bottom of said tubular member for limiting the inward andoutward movement of said tubular member in said passage.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a containercomprising, a cap having a central passage, said central passage havinga peripheral recess at the top portion thereof, a tubular cap bodymember reciprocably mountedin the passage, a side opening near the topof said member and directed obliquely to the sides thereof, said tubularmember having a. tapered` flanged portion at the top thereof adapted tofit within the recess of said central passage and conform to the curvedoutside contour of the cap, and means for attaching the cap to thecontainer.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a containercomprising, a cap having a central passage, said central passage havinga peripheral recess at the top portion thereof, a tubular -cap bodymember reciprocably mounted in the cap body member reciprocably mountedin theA passage, a side opening near the top of said member and directedobliquely to the sides thereof, said tubular member having a taperedflanged top, a gasket seal interposed between the tapered flange and therecess surface of said central passage, and means at the lower portionof the tubular member for limiting the outward movement of said member.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a containercomprising, a cap having a central passage. a tubular cap memberreciprocably mounted in the passage, said tubular member having a sideopening directed obliquely to the sides of said member and adjacent tothe top thereof, and a gasket seal interposed between the reciprocablemember and the walls of said central passage.

8. Asv a new article of manufacture, a closure for a containercomprising, a cap having a central passage, a tubular cap memberreciprocably mounted in the passage, said tubular member having a sideopening directed obliquely to the sides of said kmember and adjacent tothe top thereof, and means for imparting a rotary movef to engage thewalls oi.' said central passage with a.

vrotary movement and thereby eiIect a positive '15 seal between saidreciprocable member and the walls of said passage.

l0. As a new article ot manufacture, a closure tor a containercomprising, a cap having a central e, a tubular cap member reciprocablymounted in the e, said tubular member having a slde opening directedoutwardly and obliquely to the sides of said member and adjacent to thetop thereof for directing fluid endwise from said closure, a yieldablemember for automatically returning the tubular member to its normally'closed position, and a stop member for limiting the inward and outwardmovement of the tubular member in said central passage.

11. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a containercomprising, a cap member having a central passage, a tubular plungermember movably mounted in said passage, said tubular member having anupwardly and outwardly directed side opening adjacent to the top wallthereof for directing uid endwise from said closure, and yieldable meansfor positioning the tubular member in said passage.

JOSEPH. N. LANDAU.

